Antwerp has this week secured a new coach and two fresh signings, underscoring the club's ambitions for the upcoming season. The 41‑year‑old German Marvin Compper, known from St. Gallen, takes charge just before the league kicks off, while Maxime Busi and Michael Frey have signed their contracts.
Who is the new coach?
Marvin Compper, an experienced German midfielder, signs with Antwerp shortly before the competition begins. He brings a multilingual background – German, English, French, Spanish, Italian and Russian – and enjoys a strong connection with interim‑coach Faris Haroun, who will mentor him during preparations. Compper’s arrival promises a fresh tactical outlook and smooth integration of newcomers.
Which players have joined?
Maxime Busi and Michael Frey, both free agents, put pen to paper after the club’s official takeover. Additionally, Nemanja Gudelj and Ibrahim Salah are listed as upcoming reinforcements. The club previously added Koki Ando, Carlos Mejia and Luis Narh, but further scouting was delayed by ownership uncertainty.
How does the infrastructure look?
Beyond sporting changes, Antwerp is expanding a new youth complex at Park Grote Schijn and enlarging its bike parking. A permit for permanent drink and toilet facilities in Tribune 2 is expected in September‑October. These upgrades aim to ready the club for a season without European football but with a stronger foundation.
What lies ahead?
Antwerp prepares for a series of friendlies in London against Millwall and Leyton Orient, a chance to test the new players and coach. The club also looks forward to the league debut, with the first official match against Genk (away, 2027‑02‑06) on the schedule. This clash will be an early gauge of the recent changes’ impact.
With refreshed leadership, fresh signings and modernizing infrastructure, Antwerp aims for a competitive season despite the lack of European competition. The coming weeks will reveal whether the investments pay off.
